Trading on celebrity, sincerity and a strongman movie image, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won control of the nation's biggest and richest state on Tuesday, capping an improbable rise from Austrian farm boy to unexpected bright new hope of American politics.

Schwarzenegger, who never spent a day in political office and hardly ever voted, easily won the governorship of California in a recall election that saw voters boil over in anger and throw out Democratic Gov. Gray Davis less than 10 months into his second term.

And instead of years of experience, they voted to make as their governor a man known by film fans around the world as "The Terminator" and "Conan the Barbarian." Only in America and only in Hollywood could such a scenario come true and no one was more grateful than the jut-jawed Schwarzenegger.

Beaming broadly and surrounded by the extended family of his wife Maria Shriver, a niece of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, Schwarzenegger promised supporters at a Los Angeles hotel to work to end the partisan squabbling that has riven the state.

"I want to be the governor for the people," he insisted. "I want to represent everybody."

"We have tough choices ahead," he told a crowd of wildly enthusiastic supporters. "Shall we rebuild our state together or shall we fight among ourselves? ... For the people to win, politics as usual must lose. I will reach out to Republicans and Democrats and independents -- to those who supported the recall and those who did not."

While Davis was gracious in defeat and offered Schwarzenegger an orderly transition to power, many Democrats warned of problems ahead, predicting that Schwarzenegger will have a hard time promoting his programs.

They also questioned his ability to govern or even understand how government works.

Democratic state Treasurer Phil Angelides said he planned to hold Schwarzenegger to his campaign promises. "He has been less than truthful with the people of California about what it's going to take to restore fiscal integrity and get the economy going," Angelides said.

"I'm going to fight for what I think is right for rebuilding this economy. I will give no quarter in that respect."

When asked how much of his victory Schwarzenegger owed to his celebrity status, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, who played Zelda on the 1950s TV series "Dobie Gillis," said: "One-hundred percent. If this guy was not a movie star he would not be governor."

Schwarzenegger swept Davis out of office in a stunning defeat as Californians vented their fury over the state's sputtering economy and the career politician leading them, a wooden campaigner who once dreamed of winning the White House.

The recall vote means that the nation's most populous state will be ruled by a Republican governor heading into a presidential election year -- a possible boost for President Bush.

With over 70 percent of precincts reporting, 54.6 percent of voters wanted Davis out while 45.4 percent wanted to keep him. Schwarzenegger led his nearest rival, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, in the replacement section of the ballot by 48 percent to 32 percent, with Republican Tom McClintock third with around 13 percent.

Significantly, more voters chose Schwarzenegger than favored keeping Davis.

Schwarzenegger won a commanding victory from voters, who embraced his lack of political experience and outsider status and shrugged off a last-minute blizzard of sexual harassment allegations by 15 women.

note: